I was thinking of buying a metal detector to play around with and see what I could unearth. Does anyone do this? Have any recommendations?

It depends on what type of detecting you want to do. I use to do both gold nugget and coin detecting and I still have a couple of detectors. I suggest the you do much research about the subject by visiting chat boards and blogs on each before you buy anything.

I'd love to do that too someday. I saw an episode of Gold something on TV a few weeks ago where the host took his daughter in Australia metal detecting for gold. They got quite a few nuggets and it looked fun. Worst case scenario you burn some time and get some exercise.

I'd love to do that too someday. I saw an episode of Gold something on TV a few weeks ago where the host took his daughter in Australia metal detecting for gold. They got quite a few nuggets and it looked fun. Worst case scenario you burn some time and get some exercise.

It can be a lot of fun when you actually find somethingof value but it can (and will be) a lot of work. An excellent hobby that allows you to get out and get a lot of exersize with the possibility of finding something of value. On average a newby will dig about 1000 targets before he finds a nugget that is if you are in gold country. So it might be months (or years) to break through. After you become an expert then it improves a lot.

By targets I mean you will find everything from boot tacks to lead shot to hairpins by the score before you ever find a nugget.

The best thing to do is join a chat/blog to get started and then consider a detector club.